condensed intro to tesla transformers by eric

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COENSED INTRO TO TESLA TSFOS ERIC DOLL

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CONDENSED INTRO TO

TESLA TRANSFORMERS

ERIC DOLLJI.RD

DISCLADmR:

This materia� was written ear�y in the project and is in need of e:tensive revision. Pages 1-16 res�t from experiment� investig­ations and theoretica� considera-. tions whi�e at my �ab in the Marconi Wire�ess Bui�ding (R.C.A.), at Bo�inas, Ca�ifornia, from 1980-1981. Pages 22-25 are taken from reference (2) and adapted for re�ation to Tes�a Coi� waves. Pages 25-31 are taken from reference (3) and serve as an i��ustration of how the Tes�a Magnifying Trans­mdtter can e:tract energy from the Earth's resonant e�ectric fie�d.

Eric P. Do��ard. March 22, 1986

p.o. Box 220 * Bayside, California * 95524 USA

THE TESLA TRANSFORMER

© 11 e6 E,f� i)OU-ATl.."l;)

1

At the turn of the.century Tesla was in the process of devis ing

a means of wireles s power transmission. The transmis s ion involved

the generation of long,itudinal ether waves. Whether Tesla accomplis hed

this is not known, but the idea was cons idered by other notables *

s uch as Kelvin and Maxwell. Kelvin cons idered it poss ible to

generate "longitudinal \t?aves in the luminiferous ether" thru the

phenomena of dis placement current (capacity current aD/at). He goes

on to indicate his feeling that these waves must be faster than

light, as the longitudinal waves in a s teel rod move with much

greater velocity t han the trans vers e waves. Tes la claims that the

waves from his trans former propagate:.at. 'tr/2 the veloci.ty of �ight.

It is interesting to note: that.:-the- veloc:;i.ty:measured .'-On.·:.the .. ·�e.sla

coiL is . .a1:so. "fr'!2. greater than·the·. vel.oc±ty "of:: light�'but�this ".

does. appear to be a phase velocity rather than a. group velocity.

Inhiswritings·Tesla.indicates s ome seemingly imposs ible

phenomena surroundthe e�nations from the s pherical terminal

capacity, and I have determined thes e to be true by experiment.

One is that the power gradient (poynting vector) is in the s ame

axis as the dielectric flux gradient. The other is the slow forma-

tion of a conductive area surrounding the s phere that is not ionic

in nature (in other words is not a s park or glow discharge) .

Contrary to popular relief, the Tes la trans former is not a

WSee reference 6.

2

steady state device but is a magnifier of transient phenomena.

Also it does not behave like a L. c. network nor a transmission

line, but more like a unique type of wave guide. If all parts

of the system are designed properly the EMF and hence dielectric

flux jumps from zero to an enormous value a�ost instantaneously,

thereby producing an a�ost inconceivable displacement current

into space. The transformer is then basically a device for rapidly

discharging the capacitor bank nearly instant� into free space,

producing an enormous dielectric shock wave similar to a sonic boom.

Because the dissipation of the transformer is for all practical

purposes negligible, the energy k eeps increasing at a linear rate

per cycle of oscillation, thereby accumulating a gigantic quantity

of electrical energy. (A -form of laser action may be possible. )

In order for the transformer to resonate with the planet the

energy storage in the active region that grows around the sphere

terminal must equal the conjugate energy storage of the earth,

a stiff requirement.

It is interesting to note that dielectric -breakdown in this

active region grow into a log periodic form based on X2-X=1 as the

log base. This will be recognised as the trancendental PHI or

the Golden Ratio. In glow discharges the ions of metallic elements

form stable spheres of diameter inverse to the atomic weight of

the element involved.

The transformer's principals of operation are as follows:

The first requirement is the sudden collapse of an energy field

thereby producing a sudden impulse of energy, second is the

PI G- .L C<. TESLA .,AIIAGA.//F/CATION

T /ZAN$" ,c oR.A4E R

..... J.£Ab (lJEl;lY)

� 7&5 I.. A COIL.

(A/or 7"0 SC.A� r )

4

----.....---�� ..... -----

1 Ii R€SOAJANT COA./STANr

C,CJE�E"NT

rESLA

RES OAJAA./7 COA./STAAIT 'POTcA.l7AI..

c

-.

" /I CoIL

?RI

IA7>,,,. r E call_

� . " c;rEINAcT'Z: CoIL

e· L eli -

tI't

TE� AUT

t�o

transforming properties of the odd harmonic ordered single wire

delay line (coil) which allow for the production of enormous

E. M.F. and M. M.F., and third, the dielectric phenomena surrounding

the free s pace capacity terminal.

1) The formation of the energy impulse involves the discharge

5

of a capacitor with the highest practical stored energy into an

impedance (inductive) of the lowest practical value, and the discharge

path is coupled to an energy supply through a negative resistance

device. This negative resistance is classically a spark discharge ,

but a superior plasma device needs to be developed to enhance

efficiency. Under optimal conditions the exponent of os cillation

amplitude will be positive over a s ustained period of time.

The net result of this system is the production of an extreme

impulse of M.M.F. of great d¢/dt. An alternate method is the

dis charge of an inductor of the highest practical stored energy

into a circuit of the lowerst practical admitta nce , thereby pro­

ducing an enormous impulse of E.M.F. of great d�/dt.

2) The energy impulse generated by the aforementioned methods

is then coupled into a pair of single wire transmis sion s y s tems .

Through induction a s trong travelling wave is formed. Due to the

Lropedance transforming properties of the odd (A/4, 3�/4, etc) order

line, the E.M. F. of the wave is converted into lightning magnitudes ,

s till retaining the extreme d/dt of the initial discharge .

The capacitive discharge method of impulse generation is

Teslats faYorite, but Steinmetz s hows that inductive discharges will

also work.

6

The'capacitor contains the initial energy of the oscillating

system. The buss from the capacitors to ,the primary loop should

have a negligible transient impedance. The capacitors should be

of the bolt on vacuum type, however, the unique dielectric properties

of water might be of advantage as capacitor plates. The capacitors

must be in symmetrical arrangement with the primary coil. The

primary must be of one turn only and exhibit the lowest practical

impulse reactance S(P) P=di/dt. Tesla indicates the proper length

of the prLmary conductor to be �/2=Kn, where n is a harmonic number

convenient for the size of the unit and K is unspeCified. Also

unspecified-is if this value is free osee disconnected from the

capacitors or is LC dependent.

The transmission network consists of two X/4 single wire transmission

.systems of negligible radiation loss. The first of these is called

.::the secondary coil. The next is cal�ed the "extra coil" by Tesla, but

_',:.henceforth w:i��-be':,ca�led.the: "�esla:CCJ±�·,� This ,network. 0: ;'.'line

":is . typically,. absent' in: .. mast- uni.ts;', purport:inq. 'ta. be.-:Tes1a .trm:tsformers •.

The secondary coil, serves as a:. ma tch:ing ... ne'bt)rk, . between. the wave

generating primary' loop' and: the Tesla co:iL.· The magnetic coupl:ing

factor·�· between the PRI and SEC' coils is typically 20%.

Negligible magnetic coupling should exist between the secondary

and Tesla coils.

The function of-the secondary is three fold. The first is the

transforming of the primary M.M. F. pulse into an abrupt travelling

electric wave. Second, to provide a constant potential constant

current transformation for good voltage regulation at the output·

terminal of the Tesla coil, and third is to match the drive impedance

of the Tesla coil to the drive impedance of the earth. * (next page)

The secondary coil is of a low characteristic impedance of

the value Ss= �t. This low impedance requires it to be of

high s elf capacity. This capacity is best facilitated by flat

s piral coils of wide strip, or by short coils of wide s trip,

or by s hort coils of wide strip wound edgewise. The diameter

of the secondary must be very nearly. that of the primary loop.

3. C onnected to this secondary coil is an additional coil,

the Tesla coil. This is where the magnification properties are most

pronounced. This line or coil is also �/4 long however, it mus t

possess the minimum possible s elf capacity, resulting in the

highest possible characteristic impedance, thereby facilitating

the greates t poss ible magnification of E.M.F. by the relation

Eo=�· Iin.

The s elf capacity of the coil is minimum when the diameter is

7

equal to length, roughly l� per centimeter of diameter. The velocity

of propagation alone. ·this.coll is ,"l2;times the'·veloci.ty."of ... llght

due to thedistributed.;shunt-":(:apacity�. This: . .re.sul.ts.·�in:'�nolm.ced

capacity effects· whenthe coi..l . . is . operated; higher in. . . frequency

than resOnance • . I.t wil.l discharge a rate .much faster than the angular

velocity.·of free osc.i.llation, producing explosive phenomena. The

self capacity 0·£ the terminal sphere br ings the frequency of OSC

down to that of light velocity by acting as a shunt capacitor load across

the coil. Tbere ::an be cons ,iderable e n:rgy radiation from the capacity

terminal. Steinmetz equations show a power factor as high as 40%

is possible.

Dielectric radiation from the Tesla coil itself must be minimized.

*It s hould be noted that the primary acts as a halfwave, therefore

exhibiting no impedance trans forming properties .

8

----=!>� I A/PvT VOl TAt: E J //11 Pv t, r c

£J/v = 2 A/ -SIN c...Jt + A3 �JAI 3w-t r AS S.lN 5' wT n�oII

� CoIL. C!ZA7JJE"N7 � l)/STanTG �re-P

Es.r 2 -� SIN 'J X + 83 SIAl '3 V3� .,. Os SIN5.,sx + . ••

n '--'eP

r _

�e; -

l". -.4:2, cos cuT � ¢, - � %:r Cos '3 ('-'f+ 9fr) - A�lS" Cos 5" (c..t;.�)1 n--'� +, •• 1

v" -=

t :-

n:

IvA"£ V£�O(!ITy FACToR.. 1'J./ArE' .lFAI) � F'vA/cTIOA/ c� IIvAVe- J/rlocITy TIME

f)lsTANce

+ I ,

, ,

.... ,

,

,

,

,

0 •

,

,

,

,

#.

,

,

" ,

, ,

,

- L.

l)/sTAUCE

,

, ,

,

- ,

,

T

. , , ,

. ,

I , , .

- ,

, T' I , .. ,..,

T

. , , ,

, , ,

, . ,

9

AI"!

, lis

.. £1' '3'::; '3),,/4'

IN lov'" O'l

10

This is achieved by concentric configura tion with the primary /

secondary system therby enclosing its dielectric flux.

The potential gradient along L�e Tesla coil is approximately a

step function due to the phase d isplacement of the. input impulse ' s

harmonics, however, the velocity of the higher ordered overtones

become proportionate to frequency if the self capacity becomes

s ignificant, thereby distorting this gradient which assumes equal

velocity for all overtones.

Consider the table.

Freguency Coil Length in Degrees Input Pulse Degrees

Fo 900 00

3Fo 2700 (-900) 00

5Fo 4500 (+900) 00

7F 0 6300 (-900) 00

The harmonics of the t�e function impulse are all in phase,

however, the har.monics of the space function are all out of phase

and is therefore a step func tion. The coil can be cons idered a form

of differentiator.

Hence the gradient along the coil is abrupt at the last few

degrees of coil length but small elsewhere along coil (see Fig. 2).

The last turns of the coil must be insulated accordingly , it would

seem possible the gradient to continue to increase beyond the

* dielectric terminal! By facilitating the last few de grees in a

lead from coil to terminal, the gradient can be made to appear

along the lead rather than in the coil, minimizing capacity and flashove:

*EMF then also becQmes greater f arther from terminal, possible reaching astronom�cal magnitudes.

problems. The dielectric radiation from this lead will be small

as it is Lmmersed in the sphere's flux. No data exists as to the

ratio of the size of the s phere and earth.

The complete Tes1a transformer is shown in Fig. 3. The

11

electrical length is 360 degrees at the fundamental of oscillation.

The earth connection must have negligible transient impedance, a

star radial system preferred. The earth terminal is the M.M.F.

counterpart to the E.M.F. capacity terminal. Like the capacity

terminal, it is quite possible that the m agnetic gradient and force

will increase as the wave penetrates the earth. Hence the 5 sections

of the Tes1a-transformer:

1. Earth

2. Primary ststem/ power supply

3. Secondary wave coil

4. Tes1a or magnification coil

'5. Diel.ectric. antenna �:

It should'be:.born:- in mind: that 'resla:des.iqned:�thi:s,:,system for

* the. .tran-smission of. electric·waves:;. .. :' :Th:;is:.:is: .hardly dasi'rable for

lab.Work as: .. severe'. damage to unprotected apparatus and electrical

interference can·re�t.. To confine the energy an image coil

(1800 shift) must be connected to the earth terminal. Making this

arrangement in a horseshoe configuration produces intense dielectric

flux and displacement current that is quite usefu1l for plasma work.

Due to the immense difficulties surrounding the spark device,

a simple method and one of much greater control is shunt feed of the

primary network by an A.M. radio transmitter of special design such

as the unit at building number one. Due to the high impedance

*The theories of radio at that time considered transmission thru existing

lines of. force or "ether tensions".

12

IfJ()" '96- r-

re, zp 2� 1T

�e EAlZr", 1.:/1./11

�p 'PnJAlfARy J...J� t )..j'J.,..1

-Zs SEcoNDAny ""/'1

7ESL4 )../1{ - Ar/ o

�TI::: "IN

/)/E/ EcrlllC AA/T.

I II " , ,. � I'J := JlAIlA10N/C A/t/AI/]£n s

1-1 = DElAy PAC1o�

)0 =- - k/AVF /.et:A/TN :: -

9(J- ..,

FIG j

L() "2 I

T 2rt

/800

I woo/�'" J

'1011

�AL4A/C€'/) COIL c;;yrTcM

.,

It Fe . DC.. '8LGk. hi" DC·· ---r�---'-O'l't�r"" ---' ...--f.t t-...,.._.-.Jt'/rx;r�-l /-.... . � .. - . T , . ' -OW " - , )./1/ A

x

I' Alv'r/?",cTo�1 1hoDE

-. AI vt.T I�A CT(iR

DR/vE"

13

14

offered by the primary resonator the �pedance effective of the

tubes must be high and therefore must operate at high anode

voltages. The electron emission however, must also be high, necessitatins

large cathodes and teIr.peratures. High anode S and large electron emissic

are usually of inverse relation in available vacuum tubes. Special

pulse modulator vacuum tubes must be used. Hydrogen thyratrons might

operate satisfactorally at low frequencies where the� 1 microsecond

deionization time will not hinder commutation. The most effective

device for shunt feed may be the multipactor tube due to its stong

negative resistance effects, but it is not clear if it will operate belo�

l�eOKC with much efficiency.

By the utilization of the aforementioned devices a much �proved

field is devloped at the transformer output with regard to stability.

This I have found desirable for the production of stable plasma

formations.

However, I have not noticed the "j amming together of electrons""

unless the spark method is used as the rate of ·rise of EMF is much

greater by the spark method. Perhaps the multipactor will operate

comparatively but strong impulses d o not seem possible with shunt

methods.

For stability of certain plasma effects AFC may be required.

(See Fig. 5) The image coil system exhibits strong discriminator

effects and thereby facilitates the formation of an error signal to

the V.C .O.

As to physical construction the primary should be sheet copper

of great conductor width and large loop area. Large surface is

required as the skin effect is total with impulses. Large width

also min�izes inductance allowing for larger capacitors and more

� � ,- -

1'i-JAS£ .. I/. C.O .. R.P. .. ?vwlll f)I(clZ , .,. AAf'P'- AAf7L

� �� 'r'iYAJC

ScoPf � !>vISE ... 1't/(.,� .. Pv"�

G�N .,. AIHP,- -. N/ Of)

1" T1f.IG-

rES LA

C, ;tel.

SEC., ' SEC ..

, ,. .6�C'7V "'�?Ac"V p/t<1?>6" � F1Z�;'�" L&.. _"-'· ____

�. ,

. ;:-1' �

� TO :?,t,Ust" :D'rcR'-''''ATon

: .

15

16

rapid discharge and hence high impulse strength. In opposition

to this required �nductive reduction is the need for a large area

due to the flashover and coupling requirements. Hence a balance

has to be established between the need for minimum inductance

for rapid discharge and for a large magnetic field, resulting

in large inductance. The formula for inductance (rationalized)

is L=area/width.

Tesla indicates that the copper weight of the secondary

must equal that of the primary for maximum efficiency. This

of . course goes along with:·.standard transformer theory but it must be

remembered that the depth .:of :pene.tration of waves into conductors

'. is microscopic forimpulses. This copper requirement must be modified

to equal surface area rather than weight. As to the use of water

for capacitor conductors Tesla gives no reason. It would seem that

this is done for the sake of simplicity and/or is a holdover from

the Leyden jar. (Remember he began this in 1890 ). However, water

has many curious dielectric properties that may be essential in

operation. By theory, for maximum discharge velocity the dielectric

must be a vacuum.

Analysis (See Fig. 6)

The oscillating coil differs from the transmission line on

account of turn to turn capacity and distributed mutual induction.

The presence of series capacity causes the coil to respond

as a capacitor network (with no inductive effect) towards abrupt

impulses and ang�lar velocities greater than the angular velocity

of free . oscillation.

---+M�

L

� t ..... lAw< '/"4K

0 Ie f)

J-•

Ie -6

I • ()

'J"l.L '/,.L

�1<1tr" • Ie

F,G- 6

17

EL£;N1€A/ 7 OF

7Et;.LA COIL (d�) '3 fJATJ./S oj:' FLOW

ELEM ENT OF

;l.. WIRE L.hVE (d-x) / PATH OF FLt:JW

EL£�EA/T of

WAvEGUIDE (cI'-h) I PAT)! OJ: Fl.O \AI

.At -= """�TvA£ /A/l)ucrIOA.l X � AI1VTvAL CA70,fCI7y C � 'SN�A"T CAPAC ITy 1.. ! St!Zle� /A/l.>ucrAUCe

18

The voltage distribution along the coil at the first instant

depends on the factor a= �g/cs. Cg= capacity to ground, Cs=

capacity from end to end • .

The greater a, th� greater the concentration of voltage

at the feed end of the coil. The max�um voltage per unit length

is equal to a t�es the voltage of uniform distribution. a is a

small fractional value with Tesla coils.

The greater the d/dt or � the greater the gradient of voltage.

If the impulse has a long tail the phenomena will be as

described but followed by a damped oscillation. (OSC)

By impressing a sustained oscillation, and if the coil

.has a small dissipation const"ant u, the voltage will

continue to increase indefinately. Initially the coil acts as a

capacitor ladder network (See Fig. 7). The capacity elements a re

c har-ged to nearly twice the applied E.M.F. The effective

capacity being charged is C= �CgCs. Because this netwwork contains

" impedance elements of only one type the voltage distribution is

hyperbolic rather than periodic. If %=distance/total length and

e is voltage to ground at the particular distance,

e= Eo COSH a % . For Tesla coils this distribution should be as COSH a

linear as possible (small a).

As the distribution goes from initial to final the voltage

can be analyzed into a complex series of decremental waves at various

frequencies and wavelengths. This is accomplished by analyzing the

initial distribution (hyperbolic) into space harmonics with respect

to the final (DC) distribution. If a is considerable, no linear relatio

exists between frequency and wave length. (See Fig. 8)

When a n oscillating wave follows the initial impulse (as is the

e

�/G 7

K 1-< k

-ITTI

T C Ie. •

,

,

,

,

,

, ,

RI.

, , I , � , 'I I , , " "

19

k

I I J--. /AIITIA(" RE�poAJrc

I� •

20

case with the Tesla transformer) the alternate positive and negative

voltages cause continuous increase in voltage and energy. The effect

of the alternations is to increase the amplitude of the wave by twice

the applied voltage for each alternation. Example - oscillating

voltage is 1. 24 times applied voltage. (initial) At each cy cle

this is multiplied by twice Ea, causing E to ground to increase in steps

At second cycle E is 4.72, at third E is 7. 20 , etc. This effect is

reduced or suppressed by large u or �

The action of the spark gap has a multiplicative effect also.

Consider Steinmitz' analysis. "Continual or cumulative oscillations

involve an energy supply to the system. If the energy supply is less

than energy dissipation the e sc. do¥t1Ps as a trans ient with reduced

u. If the supply equals the dissipation the esc is continuous.

If supply is greater the esc is cumulative.

The esc represent energy and frequency transformation from

the L. F. or D.C. supply to theH .F. esc system. This transfer may

be brought about by the transient of energy readjustment resulting

from a change in circuit conditions, producing agairi a change in

circuit conditions and thereby an energy adjustment by transient,

etc., etc • . •

Recurrent oscillations tend to run into each other and form

continuous esc. When successive transients run in to each other

they tend to synch.

However, the formation of continuous esc is not the mere

overlap or running together of successive waves. The recurrent

OSC c'annot start until the preceding esc has died out I and sufficient

charge time has elapsed for next arc a'er of gap. With overlap no dead

period occurs during which normal or supply frequency is supplied.

Energy then must be supplied by a phase disolacement within arc

Is

L =

C --

k =

/V\=

L, --

C, --

K ::I I

M a I

FIG - 9-

L, M,

k,

c ,

dx

-I /?')vT"r,.,lA' /,A../T)Glc,A,/VCt- IN (#G'",vny)

L ?£R /...vc;....t

C rE"12 /;UCH

I< Pc� IAJCH

/V\ �B2 ,INCh'

'U --1 r � - L ;4 L.

21

G ] + -C

22

Dur� osci��ation, which gives a negative energy cyc�e or a reversed

hysteresis �oop. For continuous osci��ation then, a hysteresis

�oop nust be £ormed by the �ag o£ e££ect be£ore cause." (This is negative resistance or the £ormation rather than the dissipation o£

energy. ) "For the cWDU�at:l.ve osci��ation, the area o£ the loop must

depend on and increase with the stored vo�t amps o£ the osci��ating

system. II

Then

Mathematic ana�ysis (See Fig. 9) (See re£erence 2) e = E to ground es = E gradient (E/inch) By lCircho£f's Law

Let 7.s = a/ /a�

= space operator

Let '7t = a / = tae operator /d t:

= 0

Differentiation of (2)&) in time gives

"'Ys')'� IL -#- '71t?'� Is - "Ys"""'t J, : 0

( 23a )

( 23b) These, ( 23a ) & (23b) are independent of initia� and £inal distributions

of EMP'.

Equation (23b) must be expressed in one variab�eo In terms of

vo.ltage and current, the current density in capacity to grounc1 is

C per inch of coil times the rate of change of e to ground. g

( 26 )

R.�atiDg I aDd To�tage II

I in capacity between turns equa�s capacity per inch times s the time rate of vo�tage gradient.

I : S

"I ?'� ?'"t e K I

Re�atiDg I� and vo�tages

23

(28)

(29)

The re�ation between magnetizing current and I�

is comp�ex and

defies ana�ysis. ( See Fig. 10). For the fundamental distribution

(t wave ) the effeQtive inductance of the coi� is the space integra�

of the t cosine wave of current of H.M.F. and is equiva�ent to 2/ times the norma� total inductance. For the third harmonic, 3/4 cosine wave of current or H.M.F. the inductance of 1/3 of the coi�

opposes the remaining 1nductance resu�ting in diminishment of se�f

induction depending on the IDUtua� inductance of the bucking section to the rest of the coi�o The process progre •• es simi�ar�y for the

rest of the harmonic series (5F, 7F, 9F, etc. ) . This resul.ts in surge

impedance for each harmonic but effects tend to cance� for wave �ength.:>

Capacitance of the coi� behaves in a simi�ar fashion and may be

vo�tage dependent giving the coil vOltage gaiD under the proper

conditions. (Parametric amp�ification ) Denoting this residual inductance as l eakage inductance L, aDd

-2 1 the dimensions of 1 as the DlUtua� inductance M (Henry- ) , then

--

(30a)

(30b)

24

r/� 10

( s- 9 N

(�('--{-O A 13 c

AI '/ h', ,/til. F l/'b M . .;AI1.� D.C.

(')../� - 1./7r + ':J./1t ) /fI7./f'J.�

L,,= 1,A/7)f./CTANCc = n (hi."""".;: )

DC r •

25 (30b) give. the va�ue of ..,,� I". , whi�e (2)a) in'Yo�'Ye s ,.,..� I, •

If we differe�tiate the former with respect to x and the 1atter with

respect to t, substitution becomes possib�e.

()1) (31), (29) and (27) express in terms of vo�ts the three terms of (2)b).

Hence, the genera� equation:

This equation neg�ects �osses.

Ana1ysis of the interaction between the earth and various coi1s

is possib�e by the use of ve10city measure. This in genera� is a

comp1ex quantity consisting of rea� and imaginary parts.

By the re1ation we1� known:

(34)

where v is the ve�ocity of the wave. Then ve�ocityis the ratio of

time to space. Letting this ve�ocity be of unit �ue, time and space

2 2 f'mlctiona become equiya�ent, ''''s =?'t' • stei.Dmetz gives the fo�1ovi.ng bstructions for accomp�ishing this._

"Line constants are typica1�y given per unit �ength, as per

cent�etre" mi�e, 1 000 feet, etc.

The moet convenientvunit o� �ength, when dea�ing with transie�ts

in clistrubuted circuits, is the ve�ocity unit v.

Tbat is, choosing as unit �e�gth the distance of propagation in

unit time, or 3 times 1010 em/sec for transverse waves in air,' this

gives v = 1 and therefore LC = 1 = �

-1 C = L ;

26

That is, the capacity per unit of length, in velocity measure,

is inverse�y proportional to the inductance. In this velocity

uni t of length, distance will be represented by A. "

Substituting 6= I

to =). F=l/Ao o Time angle � = 2nFt = 2�t/�o

Distance angle w = 2nF�= 2�A/�o

Analysis of the travelling wave along Tesla coil* utilizing

the light second. ,.

The equation for standing waves on a line are as follows:

i = io ¥ COS (e��)

e = eo Jt SIN (�:t�,.,,) (1)

u is the power disSipation constant. The power involved is:

(2) 2

Because the sineterrn makes this symmetrical about zero

the average power is zero. For the travelling wave:

i = io If COS (� t: ." )

e = eo � COs (� ;�v)

The power involved is :

eo io -l .. ,,-r - Eo [1 + COS (2) (�:l'..

2

Power average is now:

2

* Steinmetz's analysis modified.

(3)

(4)

(5)

27

Thus two waves exist, a.travelling steady power flow given by

( 5) and a standing wave given by (2) s uch a flow of power flows

along the different s ections of the Tesla trans former, consisting

of sections of different u. For instance the primary has very low

u due to the large s urfaces and the negative u of the arc, the secondary

has a higher u due to no arc, the Tes la coil has higher yet due to

the small conductor size of winding, and the d ielectric antenna

has a very high u due to radiation.

In the pr�mary the duration of oscillation is very great as u

is zero or negative. The duration of coil os cillation is shorter due

to their higher u, and by themselves their osc would dampen

quickly. Since all are connected together, all mus t dampen together.

It then follows that power must flow during transient from primary

to antenna, so as to have all sections dampen together.

Three conditions can occur in the general compound sys tem:

a) The power flow is uniform, that is , the power remains

cons tant in the direction of propagation.

b) The flow decreas es in the direction of propagation.

c) The flow of power increases in the direction of propagation.

This last cas e is of special interest in the Tes la trans former

as it increases the steepnes s of the wavefront, producing greater

displacement current.

If the flow of power increases along system, more power leaves

every line element than enters it; that is , the line element is

drained of its stored energy by the ?assage of the wave, and then

dies down with time at a faster rate than by its own diss ipation.

That is , not all the stored energy of the line elements supplies the

power dissipated in the line elements , but part of the energy leaves

the elements in increasing the flow of power along the line. The

28

rate of dissipation thus is increased, and instead of u, u+s enters

the equation. That is the time decrement is:

-(u+s)t

e s is the power transfer constant.

But, inversely, along the line the power flow increases,

that is, the intensity of the wave increases, by the same factor,

+5). Eo

or rather, the wave decreases along the line at a slower rate than

that scattered by the power dissipation. Therefore, that taken from

the time domain is transfered to the space or distance domain.

i = io

. Similar for e

P AVG is � 2 E

-2 (u+s)t +2s)'

E The power transfer constant s determines the steepness of

-the wavefront. To meet these requirements the u of the line

must exceed the average Uo of system.

Example (See Fig. 11):

Length = " in light seconds

Dissipation =

uo= u AVG. =

and s =

u u�

Transformer

-3 1.OxlO

100 0.1

L:"",'). = 800

�A +700

Line

1.5x10-3

900 1.35

-100

Load

0.5xlO-3

1600 0.8

-800

XF,/IfR. "1--11,1',

, - -I

F . , w D ,

,

J./NE' J.OAl) • VW\

, - .

,

}b��� � __ � ____ �� __ � __ � • 1)/'STAA..<;c

R ' a , , L •

..

• - - -- "" " "" 'P' . - "' •

'X�;.fp. " � nn"1sCS"'

• ,. , , , ,

,

l./A/e

, , , ,

.lOAD ,�

, , ,

?OIuCrl •

,

,

,

' . , • ., # _ • •

29

FIG- 11

�FM� � -700

J./A/- "Z<... +/00

L.OAD u +w-OO

'XJ:'MR u -Jt13

J.IA/C 'k. - �3

Leult) "" -1"& 7

-I _ rAAI "" c 7JAl1: CO,u�VlAI T i

Tne transformer thus dissipates power at a rate u=lOO but

sends power at the rate of S=700, or seven times as much as it

dissipates by internal losses. The load dissipates power at

u - 1600 and receives power at the rate -S=800, that is � the power

it dissipates is suppl ied from other sections, in this case the

transf orner.

The transmission line dissipates power at the rate of u=900

only a l ittle faster than the system Uo of 800; and the line receives

power at -S=lOO, that is, receives on�y 1/9 of its power from the

transformer; the rest comes from its stored energy.

For the special condition of waves increasing in magnitude

towards lead;

Transformer

'). = lxlO-3

u = 100

�= 1.0

u = AVG u = 0

S = +433 +33

L ine

3 1.5xlO

500

0.75

-106 7

Load

-3 0.5xlO

1600

0.8

That is the power transfer constant of the line has become

positive S=33 and the line now assists the transformer is supplying

power to the load (See Fig. 12).

The preceeding paper has attempted to show the considerations

involved in the optimization of the Tes la tran sf ormer . T he enormous

number of factors involved make this a difficult task indeed! The

authors of coil analysis have come up with conflicting results and

an attempt towards resolve has been. made. solutions to the differential

equations have not been given due to lack of generality of those

3 1

ava i l able and l ack o f space .

I t ha s been ment ioned in papers on the s ub j e c t o f coi l

o sc i l lation s tha t the ory doe s not ma tch prac t i c e . Much more

exper imentat ion is ne c e s s ary . it a l so might be pos s ible that

)s -- - doe s not give the proper ve loc ity , remembering that Te s la ?:

c la ims that h i s ve loc i t ie s are f a ster than l i ght . For further

informat ion see :

1 . ABNORMAL VOLTAGE S INTRANSFORMERS . J . M . Weed . Amer i can I n s t itute o f Elec tr ic a l Engineer s . Sept . 1 9 1 5 , p . 2 1 5 7 .

2 . ABNORMAL VOLTAGES WITHIN TruL�SFORMERS . L . F . B lume . F eb . 1 9 1 9 , Amer ican In s t i tute of E le c tr ic a l En gin er s , p . 5 7 7 .

3 . ELECTRIC WAVES , D I SC HARGES AND IMPULSES . C . P . S te inme t z

4 . TRAVEL IN G WAVES ON TRANSMI S S ION SYSTEMS . Bew ley , L . V . 1 9 3 8 , 1 9 5 1 . Dover .

5 . D IELECTRIC PHENOMENA IN H I GH VOLTAGE CABLE S . D . M . Rob in son , 1 9 3 6 .

6 -. ROENTEEN . RAYS AND P HENOMENA OF THE ANODE AND CATHODE . E . P . Thomp son. 1 8 9 6 , Van Nos trand Co. , p . 9 3 ( Ke lvin) , p . 1 36 ( 're s la ) .

,2

Fl c;. . / � 1 1· ... 1111111 1"'on Lil1� Tl .... l�.!Urll lf"r T.-anan",.!',,,, .. Lilt�

I u _ � U - :IOO

U - .00 �

_ Energy Dist rihution in C'ompound O!;rillat ion uf ()pen Circuit .

• Faster Than Light ! • By HUGO GERSSBA CK

IT may come as A �h()(k, to most 5tud .. nt� of scien.:e, to learn that th .. r� art' �ti11 in tht' "'o rld some �('i,.ntists who helie .. � thAt ther� li r e .pt't'ds llr,.ater

than that of Jip:ht. Si n('t' the advt'nt or F.instein. ",osl �d-nt i� ts and

physicists have tRken it rur Il'ranled thRt & peel\. jrr,.at,.r than 1 86,800 mile� per sf'Cond art' impo.si ble in the universe.. Indeed, one or the principal tenets of the relativity theory is that the mass of a body increases with ill lpeed, and would b�me Infinite at the yeloc­ity of lip1. Henre. a greater yelocity is impossible.

Among those who deny fhat this il true, there ia Nllrol& Tesl&, well known for his bUDdreda of im­portant Inventions. The inductknl motor and the .., __ tem of distributing alternating narrent are INt & f_ of his creat contributions to modem 5Ci-. In 18n. be made his historic nperimrntl in Colorado ; when he _nufaetu� for the lint tirM. artificial lirbtning

I bolts 100 reet long. and where he was abie. by meanl of high-frequency currents, to littht elt'Ctric lamp' at & d istanC'e of three Dliles without the USe of any wi res whatsoe"er. •

Talking to me ahout the� exp,.riments recently. Dr. Tesla revealed that he had made a number of 5ur­prisintt diS«'o"eries in the high-frequency el,.ctric field and that. in the course or t� uperiments, he had become convinM that he pro"attat� frequencies at speeds Nlher thaA the speed of li,ht.

In his patent No. '78'7,112. filed May 16, 1900, Tesla ahowed that t� current of hil transmittu passed over the earth', surfaC'e .·ith • speed of 2!12,880 nl i lt'S per �nd. while radio wayes proceed "' ith th,. - el 'H'i ty of litrht. Tl'sla holds, ho..,,.v�r. that our vr�.en � "rRdio" way ,.s are Dot trur H,.rtzi.n "'awes. bUl r�8 l 1 y so:.tr.d w.ves�

H� informs mt'. furt!> .. r. thu.t he k,WW, tlf sl' .... u� several t imes grrater I han that nf IiJrht, . . nd thllt he hal designed apparatus with "' hkh he ex pe('ts to project so-<alled eledrDns ... · ith a sperd ,.. .ual tll t",i"e that of light.

Coming from 10 eminent a IDUI'Ce, the statftnmt should be (iye due conllderation. After all, abstract

nll.th�mllti("s i< !'nr th' l' lr. and a("tual ex�r;men tation j� ano t her . Sut </'I :nan�'- years allo. one of th .. "'orld's jrrrs t .. " t lO("ienti< t - of tl'", t i me r ro"rd �nath"""" t i ", .. l Iy t t . ... t i t is im pt·;: .or. !� : . • t!�- i< h,.a\· ier-th,l n -, u r � I l .. (' h i n .. . Yet "'e ar� t!y ir.i/ r ;"� " "f .. j rl ' lan .. � l oday.

Te�IOl t·CH .. t rHu :('t. .. part , , � t h.. :r l R t i \'it� th ... , n· emph .. t kall�·. hoI t1 i ." th.t m L<. is u n . I !"�Rb!e : ot�r­",· ise. enerltY ('ould I,e i'rn<l .. ('� from �lothi nJr. "i n('e t� kinetic ent'r;r�- II('quired in the fall of a body would be greater than th"t n«f'!>5&ry to lift it at a small veiO('it}',

It is withlll the bounas of posslhility that Einstein's mathematic:a of .peeck «""Ster than litrht ma�' � wrong. Tesl& bas bee ript Ulany tirnes during thr p .. t. and he _y � PI'09f'ft ript In the fatun, III any "ent. the Itaftmrnt tNt there . an s� fastrr thaD lipt Is & tnmendou 0-. aDd. opeDI up elltirdy new "ilt .. to 5Ci�.

\\'hil,. it is �!i,. .... d r\ !."&nt' St'ientists. t" da,·. that the ( .. r(o,. of /travit .. I •• ,,, · i:i In-�Iy another m.';i{esta­t iun of .. h·,·t r"r'i&{". ' " "'''YI',:. I hrr� h,,,·... a. ,·et. h,."n no pr,oo(s of t his. Tn..rl' a re, of . ·t'u rsl'. n.:"n\· oh" 'urp I h i n ,. ... .. i"'ul frll \·i � .ti"n tha I we ha" e not, as y,.t. f.t l :"l l I ... d .

At 0 1 , <, t i lll�, i t ..... belie"ed h,' :nan \" <cie" I j .ts th.t t he sp .. ed of j[r.l , itat inn is ift5hn tan;"u � th

'ro" �hou t

th,. un ; ",.r",.. This is sin'ply &S'Icoth,.r way of putt ing it that theit' art' & � !I Ireater I h an Ii!!,hl.

Yet. from a s t rictlr M"il'ntific: Yie.·point. 110 "ne t� day has Any ide. ho .. fast jtra"itat i,'nal wa" f"'-always p ro\'idin!l' th"t tht' fo� is ill :tar .. _tr ..... l. I f the moon, fur in<�ar.r .. , "·er,. to esplode at a jl'i';en morn,.n t. h, · .. · I"n,l[ ,,· . . , , ! , I ; [ i· .. i ... r . • rt' thr �r" .. i t . l itJn"j di�tu rb­an .. '; ,,· ,, :.z ! d 1If' felt , " ,,:.,t:' ·· Would �h .. j."TK d t a t :nnal impu lse o r ,,· ,, ' ,.s [ � � \' <' ! .. I : 1 ·,. s' ..... d of l i ir h r --that is, 1 1<6,000 nult's r .. r . ... · ' . nd · �r .. " ,, 1 1 the e /fcC't I .., i ., ­s t tl n t.n�ou.); : \\ . ... d n fl" � :.o ..

The- f'ntirf' ... u hjr(" t ..... 11 �o d.;nd,t :. " H .. ..... It t rr : u r- uduu s int .. rest in s,·i .. n l ific: cirC'le",_ It i6 I"'ped that other l('ienti�t5 ",i l l he ent'oura� to in"'l"lIb,ate Dr. Tesla 's f ar-r .. �hing a.swrtions ; either to definitely proye Dr to disprove thenL

'No , 6 4 9 , 6 2 1 . N. TESLA. Patented •• Y ,15 , 1900

A P P A R A TUS FOR TRAII S . ' S S I O N O F E L E C T R I CAL E II ER6Y.

( .. ... . . , )

c.

I.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

N J KOLJ. TE� I . A , O. N E W 'iORI{ . N. Y

A P PA RA T U S F O R T RA N S M I S S I O N O F E L.E CT R I CA L E N E R G Y .

BPEClnC.A.TIOH lol'lllo.lD� put or Wt&en 1" ..... t Jfo. M8,81U, datad Jla7 I ll, 1800. on,; •• 1 ."Ii .. ti-u II .. �"r :, ll'7 , leriu ... laCi.'U. blYloIocI ... t" • • ,�II_t1 .. II .. r.� I t. 1 toO. leri.l

••. e,710. I •• cod.l ·

'Tn all u·h mn ,t ",all CD"""7'1I: elevat ion sui table for tbe pu rposes 01 "·:ln�· Be tt k nown that I, N I KOLA TaLA , a eil i ' l m ission . Tbe ot.ber �rmi a31 of the secoodnry

zen of t.be l! n i loed Slales, rMidiDf At t.be bor· A, is eon neeted II> _rt.b, and, if delli red , to ol\�h oC )f anlultlan , in the cit)" 0 New York . the pri mary al .. .. io order th:\t th" latter may

5 coun ty anu State of Ne- York, ha�e inveDtf'd be at " u " .. tan li�I I! t be same potential as lho 55 eertai o n ew a n d useful IDl provemeou iD Ap· adjaren l portioo!t or t he aecondarr, t b a!! i u ­p:uatus {or tne Tranam iasion or Electrical surinl: lla fety. At the reeei viDg - lltation A Energy, or .·hlcb the folJowing is a spP.Cifica· Lraosformer or silll ilar �nstrncLjon is em · Lion , reference Uein� had 10 tbe d rawio.g ae · ployed ; but in thi. e .... tIM IODJrer coil A ' eQIt·

10 companyiag aud forlll ill2 a part oC the same. ati LoLes the primary, aad tbe shoneI' t!oil C' 60 Tbi. llpplicat.ion ia a division of an Applica· t.be eeeODdaf'J', of the ttaDSformer. In t he cir·

\iOD flIed by me 011 September 2, 1 1!97, Serial cuil of the laUer are coaDOCLed lalll p3 L, ." . lio. 6SO,:U3, eo tl tled " Syatems of tl"1lDsm is· to" If , or oLher devle. for utiliziog t be cu r· alons oC electrical energy," And is baaed UPOD ,""ot.. Tbe "Jevated &.erminal O' cooneoc:u wit b

15 Dew and uNfu l reat.nree A"d combi natiolU of the ceDter oC the coil A', aDd :ht' otber ter· ciS appatat.as sbown aDd dfllCribed i n Aid appli- m l Dal oC saHi eoll is coaDected to Mrlh an.l coaUoa for carryinr oaL the Dlethod t.berei n preferably, alao, too Lhe coi l C' for lh(' reuons diecloeed Aad clai med. above I�ted .

The invent ion whicb forDis tbe I>nbject or The leD1ti. of tb .. Lhio "' i re (,NI in each 10 my preseDt Applicat.ioD com prises a trAnsmil· trAII.Cor.ner 8houl":' be appro x i mately ODO· 7"

lio; ooli or eODductor in which electrical eur· quarter of the .ave leDgt h of Lbe elt'ctrie dis· r6D ,", or oecillatioos Are produced Alld wbiob torbanc(' io the cireui t, thili .. ti m.�e boiDg ill arrang.a to caUN laeb carreDta or oac:illa· baled 00 Lbe velocity of propaga .. ioD n( the &.ioa to be propag"ted by conduotioa through cllstllrbAnee tbroQgh the coil ilL'tolf and tho

'5 t.he Dalaral mediulli from oDe poiDt. &a aDoUier eircuit. with wbicb It is d .. igoed to be aeed. 7S remo&.e tJ-erefrolll ADd a receivlDK coil or coo- By ""y at ilI ust.raUoD , if the rate at which d llcfor a& Illoh diAaDt point ad"pLed too be es· the CUrTent tra\'erMII tbe circuit i nclud iDg clt.ed by the OIIcillaUoDI or CUn'eDta propa- Lbe coil be ODe hUDdred aad eighty· Ii \'e t.bOD ­pLed from tbe traDsmiUer.. &aad m il8l' per aec:ond theD a frequeDc)" of

30 Thil apparatUl ill lhoWD iD the accompaDY· n i De h U D d red aDd tweDty - 6 � � rer lecoad 80 Inr d rawiDg, which il A diarralli mat.ic m DS· woald mAi"at.aio DiDe hllodred aad tweoty.li,e traUoD of t.he &ame. ltationary moves in a oire.iL ODe lluadred

A II a coil, :tiDerally of maDY tu TU aDd or aDd t'lrhl1' � \'e tbousand mil .. loag aad eaeb A Te,.,. 1al'le diAmeter, woaDd ia �lral forra wan wou ld be two b U Dd red mllM ia leDgth •

.15 either abOat. a magnetic eore or DOt, .. may For IOcb a low freq uency, which woold be 15 be d .. lred. C II a aeeoDd eoll formed by a resorted to oD ly -bea il il l Ddi.apeuaable for oaahetor of III lIch larger aize aDd .maner the op8palion of motors of the ordillAry k iD.I leDrth 1tou.,d aronncl Alld in prox i m ity to tbe UDder the cond il.ion. abo" e .. umed, 1 would eoll A. aMI a �ondary or litty m il .. iD leogtb. Jiy

40 TIM apl"'I'Atu. at' one polaL i.e used &I a aach aD adjusLment or proport.looi D g of tbe 90 UaDalllilter, C.he coil A in tbis cue consLiLot- leDgth of wire i D the seeond.ry &:oi l or coila iDC a hip·tea'i9n, MCOadal'1, ADd the eoil C tbe poi n u oC highest . po:.ential are made k» tbe primary, oC m uch lower teaaioD, of a trans· coiDcide "' itb the elevated term i nAl. 0 D', fj)rmcr. ID lbe circlIil of the pri.D"ry l: ia ia' l ADd tt "boll hl be und�rst.ood tbJ\t whatever

45 elueled a aui lAule aouree of eorreD t G. One len::th be �l .. n too the w i res I bis rt'qu i rem "nt 9S t.ermiDAl of tbe aeeonllary A ia at the ceDt.er sbo u ld be eODl piied with i n ordt'r lC""ooLAin oC tho .plral coil , and frow to ia term i Dal the i tbe best rea u l ,",. currellt Is led by a cond llctnr n to • tern d Dal I I L w il l be rt'ad ily u ntleratood tbAt w h e D t.i", n, prt' Cerably of large sllrface, formed or abo\·o · p rMcr i bo!-d relation, es iat t b .. \.)oal {'nn · ·

50 mni D l n:aed by Buch me:\116 as a balloon at aD : d i lioDS Cor resoDance bet_MD tbe tr&n,m l ,· . o e

t

lj np; and recei v i n g circ u i ts Are AttAined, and Ofl"i n ci to the taet that the poin� of h ighest po­lent illl i n the coi ll! or conductor.. A A' are cOlucirie n t w i t h the elevated term i n Als the

5 maxi m u m ftow of cu rnm t will \.ake place in

the t'll"O coi ls, and this, further, neceSSArily i m plies that the cApacity and inductAnce in each of the circni� have' linch vai lles as tG secure tbe m08� perfee, CODdition of syucb ro-

10 nism witb the imp� oeclllaSions. When the aouree of cnrreDt G is in opera­

tion And producee rapidly pulaatinl or oecil­. lating curreate in the circuit of coil C, oor­

responding iDduoed currentl! of very much 15 hieher pO\enUal are generated in the aeoond­

ary coil A, aud since the potential in the same gradually increases with the number of turns toward Lhe center and the d i fference of poten­tial between the adjacent turns is compara-

10 tiyely smalf .a very high pdtential i mpractica­ble with ord inary coils may be successively obtained .

As the mAiu object for w h i ch the appr.rll1 us is designed ill to prod u ce a c u rrent of es:ce&l'

2 5 · l \·ely·higb poteu tial, tb is object is fllcilitAted by "Usiug a primary cu rrent of \'ery consid· erable treq uency ; bllt the frequency of the

c u rrents is in a large mel\"� l I r� arbitrary, for i f the poten t ial be snttkien t l y h i gh Rud the

30 term l D als of the coi ls be ID A i n tai ned at tbe proper elevatiou wbere tbe fltmosphere is ",relled the stratu m oC all' v; i l l se r,e Pol; � con · d ucting medil lm for t h e c tl rr" n t prod uced And the latter will be trans m i tted throngh tlJe

3S air, with. i� may be, even less resist Ance �an through an ordinary conduct.cr

Aa to tbe elevation of the termi nals D D', It is ob�i01lS that this Is l\ mAtter wbich will be de&enDlaed by " Dumber of things, AI' by the

40 AIDOGDS aDd quality oC the wort to be p91'­ronaed. by the condit ion of She atmosphere, and alao by the eharoiCter of the 8urroundiDg countl'y. Thu it there be high mountni[l!! III the ,.ici1Jlity the termiuala IIho;Jld bo at A

45 greater height, and generally they 8hould al· "'18 be -' au l!titude much greater than that of the highest oOjt!etB neAf them . SincII by the meau deeeribed practiCAlly aDY potE:n tial that is desired may be prod u Ct!<! . the c u rrents

So through tbe &ir atrata may be very small. th ua red uctng the 1088 in the air,

The apparatns at the receiving·atation J'&o .panda to the corren ti! propagat.ed Crom the transmit�r in a man:!er w hich ;rill be well

SS o nderstood froID the foregoI ng description. Tbe prim.". circuit of Lbe receiyer-tbAt is, I the thin wire coli A·-lit exeit.ed by the cur· reDtA propagated by_ conduction th rough the 1:l�rVeDiDg lIatural m�icm from lhe tran&-

M lII iUer, and theee currente i n d uce in tbe sec­ondary coi l C' other currectA w h i ch aNI D tU­ized for operati ng tbe deviCM i n c l uded in tbe C l rc ni t thereof.

ObYiously tbe ree81 v i ug-eoi ls. t rADsform · 65 e n!!. or other apparaL Il8 may b! movable-All,

(or instance, when tIley are carried by a ves· \el fto&t.in� in tho Air or by a sh i p At IleA. I II

t b e former case tho t'oll l lection of ono terlD i · nal o f the recei \' in� apparat.us to the ground

- m ight not be permAnent, but m il!'bt be inter- 70 m itlently or i nd ucti vely est.a.bl isbed withou t departi ng from the spiri t of my inveD tion.

It is to be noted thAt the phenomonon here i n voh'ed i n the transm ission of electrical en­ergy is one or true cond uction and is not to 75 be confouDded \vitb tbe phenomena of elec· trical I'Ild iation whicb have heretofore befon observed and which from the very nature and mode of propagation wonld render practiCAlly. imy.l88ible tbe tnulam_ioo ot any appl"ft· lio eiable .moun� ot eDergy to auch d islAncM a.­are of practical importAnce.

What I now claim AS my i n veDtion is-1 . The eom bination with A transm iLti ug coil

or conductor connected t.o grou nd and to an Ss elevAt.ed terminal reapoctively, And means for producing therein electrical cu rren� or oscil , lations, of A reeeil"ir.g coil or ccond llctor si mi · larly con nected to �roll ntl nnd to an ele\'''ttod term i n al , at a d istancs from tbe t r8 nslD i " �I) ting-eoi J -And Ildapterl to be esciled by cll r · rents CAused to be proPAPu·d ( ro m tbe fla m e by conduction throuL'h the i nlon-on i n !: Dat· u ral m ed i n m , A ! !Condary co u d u c tor i n i n · ductive relation to lhe r�c�i \· i l l �.co n d tl ctor 9 5 And d et' i ce8 ror ut i l i:: ing t h e c U I're:!! i n the circuit of s[. i d 3econd sry con ,.l t: ctor. AS set.

forth . 2. The com bination w i t h a tl'ansm i ttl D g co i l

or conc uct o r bn.Yi cg i ts ends coo uected to 1 00 r;,rocnd and to au el�t':.:.ed term i nal respec· ti vely, a primAry coil in itul uctive relAtion thereto SOC " source 01 eloctrical oscillations in said pri mary circu it, of A receiving conduc-tor or coil having itB eods connected to grouDCl 105 aDd to an ele\'atfd t.e:'1Dinal respectiveJy aac! adapted to be excited by cnrte:!ta caused to bo pro� from tbe tranamitter tbroqb I.b natarat medium a.ad .. MCOQdary circuit in it!daetive relation to the receiving-circuit 1 . 0 and rec::iviog devicee connected tberewith . &II set Corth.

: 3. Tbe combi n&tion wi t b 'a tr&nsUl i t ti nr I n' stru mect com prising A tran8f�rr::ler· hat'i np: its S8COOciAr.y cou nected to gro u n d e.nd to aD ele- I I S vn.ted term i n al reapecti \'ely, and meanl Cor

. imp:-euiog eleetrical oeci !\Iltions uponjt,a pM' :nary. of a re-oei vinB instrument comprisiDg a transformer haviug i ts primary aimilarly oonnecr.eci to grouud and to an elevat.d �r· J 10 m i aal. aDd a tranalaUDg device conDected with its NCOndary, the capaoity and iDdue&­ance of the two traneforme!'ll baving Inch val ues .. to leCure synenroniam with tbe im· preued OIOmationa . .. set forth. I I �

4 The combillation with . transmitting In · strum8Dt compriain� aD electrleal tran.e­Cormer b�vlng itA eecGndAry �onnect.ed tc ground and to aD elevated termtnal respec· tl vely, and meanl for i m preMlng electrical I .JO oscillations Ilpon It. primAry, or a recei v i ng instra ment comprtal ng a traneform t r bavlng ita pri mary aimllarly connected to grouDd and to an ele,..ted tel1ll1D&l, aDd a traulal-

35

649,6lJl

i og r. e �· i('e cc·nnected w i th i : " sec o o d ary. ti lt' I I Elns:-th of the disturbance p r,'pRgated , a,. st't r.apaci ty aDd i nu u·:tan r .. of the lIEl("onuary of ! furth . . tbe traosmi ttinS IUl ll primnry o( tbe recei v · I 8 . The cl l in h i nal;oo ..:" i th a !. onnsm i tt i n !; co! l ing i nst.ru men ts ha\' l n g sl Ich �':\ lues s.!I t o �e· or l�oodu ct.or coo n ected to gro und anu to an 3 5

5 cure synchronis n , w i t h t he hn p ressed osc i l l/\· �leva!.ed It· l' t n i ual respeet i . ely, snd adapted Lions, aa eet fortb. . to CAuse thl: prolJ"88tion of cu rran ts or asc i i ·

5. The coln bi nation with a translD i Lti ng coi ! latiGns by couductior. tbrousrll t.he natu ral or coDd actor COnDtlCted to ground and An ele- medium, of a recp. i \·ing,cLrcait similArly Con­vateeS armiaal respectively. and means for nected to ground and to an elevated termi· 40

10 produciag electric:al current. or oscillations nal, aad of a capacit.y and inductance lIuch iD tbe eame, of a recelviug coli or coaductor Lhat ita period of vibration is t.he same as that almilarly Cf)Dneo&ec\ to grouDd aDd to an ele- of thtl' transmitter, aa Bet forth. vatee! termiDal and lIynchronbed with t:le 9. The transmit,t.ing or ' roeeiving cfreuit

. tr8Umlttiag coil or coad actor, u set fort h. herein described, cODnected to ground and 45 .s 8. The combination wit.h a t./'Ansmitting i n · an elef'&.Led term i nal respectively, and ar·

etramen t com prising an electrical traos· ranged i n such Ulanner that the elef'ated ter: former. baving ita secondary con nected to minal is chargftd to the mAXi mum potential ground and to an elevated t.erminal respec· de\'eloped in the ci rcuit, as set forth. \ively. of a rec:eivio[t iOIl\rament comprisi o g 10. The combiaAtion wit.b a transmitting So

10 a t.raaeformer, havlog Ita pri mary sim i larly cciil or cond nctor conoected to grouod and to connected to grouad aud to an elevated ter· an ele\·a!.ed terminal respect! vel) of a racei v· m inai , the recelving·coi l being sy�ch ronized i og-ci rc u i t hAvi o g a period of vi brat.ion cor· witb that of the tr"nsmitter, as set fort.h. respooding to that of the traosru itting-circ 'l i t

7 . The combi DALioo 'Wit.h a \ransmitting coil and si m i lArly con o ected t" ground and to an 5 !' 2S or conductor connected to groond and to an e le\·at.ed term i ual and so arra n ged thl\t tb(\ elc\'l\t8l1 terll\ i n�l respecti vely. and meaDS for I ele\'nted term iual i " ("harged t o the b i gh",,!.

p rQd u c i u g e l ectrical corrents or oscillati ons I potential oc\'el.)Def] in the C'i �C' l\ i t . l\s set fort h i n the sacc, of a recei f'ing coil or cou d uc!or I N r K O I..-\ TESLA. 8l1n & 1arly connected to grou nd and to an ele· I �"' ; t n es5es :

30 va ted term inal, the sllid coi l or coils hllv i n � i P A R K ER W . P ,H'£. a le n gth eqllal to o n c · ql lnrtllr' v[ tl :a � :\ ',' O . :,i .\ �':ELLt':' :1 \ I !. r: y .

P-360 N. TESL A .

ArfA ii A T U S fOF. i R A S S M I TTINO ELECTRICAL EYERG'\. . A p n I C A n o � r : u : ., J A W . l B . B 0 2 . I � W t W t D . � t 4. I VO?

1 . 1 1 9,782 . Patented Dec. I, 1 9 1 4.

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37

. )8

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE. NIXOLA TESLA, OF NEW YOB.lt, N, y,

�p ABATl1S FOB TBANSXITTING ELEC'l'lUcaI. ElfEBGY,

t,1 19.732. IpeC1acaUoll ot I.etten hteat. Patented Dec. 1. 1914. AppllcaUolI tlell Jallury II. 1102, Sertal liD. 90.24$. llellewell .a� to 1107. Serial liD. 371.117.

To 1111 ,rJ, llm it m fly ronurn : Be it kno"'n th:l t 1 . X I KOU TEsL.\ . Il cit i '

7.t'n of thl' Fmted !'Ot!ltl'l<. resi c.l i n � i l l till' boron:;:h 4 . f M:Ul h a tt:J l I . I II the Clt�' . (·"ul lty .

.. and :-;tah' of Xew Y.wk. ha \"(' i n n'lIh'l! I'el·' tai n 11(,,," :10.1 u!O!' flJ l l ru I"·')\ t·lIl1"nts I II A ppa · ratll!'l for Tra n sm i t t i ng j·:I(,ct l"i (·:1 I Elll' r:;:�' . of " I I I I'l l t h.' fol lllw lI Ig I S !l !ipt.'c i l ic:l t UlU, ,·d erclu·c 1'I.' i n " had t . ) the tll-:I \' IIII! :1I.·COlII

ID p:III.\" II I:;: a llt.i f�)rm:ng :1 P:I I·t o f t l lt.:- !'a m(', In endea " ortng to :ul:l pt cn rl'('nts 01· eits·

('ha rg('s of n!ry 11 1gb tens!on to \"Iniou!> \·11 11 1 · Ilhle lISl'S, as the distribution of energ," through ,,· i res from Cf'ntra l pla nts to dist:lltt

Ja plAces of conslIm ptiun, or the trn nsmisslOn of po,,"erful distll rham.�s to gl"t'3t d ista nces, tlu-ough the- n3tu I":1 I 01· non,art iticla l me-d i3, I h3\"e ('ncount('r('. 1 . h lticl l itics I n con fill ing l'onsi d('ra hle 3 mollllts . . f ('Iectrit'i t \" to t he

20 cond llctol"S and pn'\\:nt i nJ; i ts 1(,:l k·!1 �c 0\"('1" thei r Sl Ip/)Ol"t::: , 01" i t;; e"'l·:t l '� intn t l l(' : l I i l l .il'nt air, "' h i l' 1 :l I n-a ,'·s takt.·" pl:H"C w itt'n t he ('I(·c, tlic sllrfac� dl'nsih' n·:I(: I I ,·s a re rta i l l '·a l l l" .

ThE' i llll'm:lty of thl' e !l t·l"t "f :I t I":I Il",m i t · 26 ling c l r.-u i t w iih a fret' or clc'· :l h·. J tt'nniu:d

is proportitllla tl' to the IJII:l Ilt ity of (, It.,('tri(" ity displ:ll'(·d, which is d('lt'rm i ll" t l I ,.\" th(' product ot th(' capal'ity of tilt .. cl I·cl l it. thl' pl'('!!!'lIrl'. and tift' fr('(lul'ncy C l f t he l · l I ITClltS

:.n emplon'd . To prOtl l1l:(' an ('\ecl rll":. 1 mo\"e· ment of the I"t'llui rt'd magnttUlle It is de, si rablr to cha r�l' the ternun31 :18 h igh l �· :IS pos.c:ihll'. fCII· w h i l,' a great (ll1a llt i t�, of ('Il'c, tri('i t�, may :111'0 lx> di!'placl'd hy :1 la rge

36 cn P:lci ly I'h:l r;:ed to low pl·l'SSl\ l"t', there Il re d isud" ;lIltagl"l' met 'nth I n many ('ases w hen

the form(" · i!' macll' tllO la rg�, The ch id of thl'S(' a n' ri llr to the fart thal :In i ncrease of the cll pal" lt '; e-nla l ls :1 lowering of the fre'

40 qllt"IIC"�· of t h l' I mpul:;t·s or disch:lrges and a dim i nuti on of the ('nl'rg�' of ,· i hl·ation. This Wi l l be I Inti(,l'!'tood whel) It IS bornc in m ind, that a cm·uit 't"ith a la rge caplicity bt>ho\'es liS a ,;Iacksprmg, wherells one ""jth a small

46 Ca pll(· l t .\' acts hke n st i lf sprm;, vi brating mOl? ' I gorously. Therefore, In order to a tta i n thl' h l gl1l.·st poss, hle frequency. willch for certa t n pll rpo.c:es is a.hnnt a g!'llus and. a pa rt fl·om thal, to dl'\"E·lop the gl·(':.tl'st

110 eller�)" in sl lch a t rDlIslIl . tl l llg l' l rcl l l t , I em · plo," :1 I('rm i na l of reb l . H·I .,· sma l l 1':l p:1 (' i t�· , w h l ('h I (' I . :I I"/:e t o as i t i!!" :1 pl·essllrc ns prac, ticn!. lc . To n('('ompl i�h I I1 Is rCl'u l t I hnnl found i t i mperati ,·e to !'u const ... . ct the ell'-

66 t"atcd 1'0n.i l 1l'lor. th:1t it� nllU>'· !il lr C:lCt', on

which the electrical charge chiefl y accumu. lates, hns Itsel f a la rge rAd i us of cu n·nture, or rs composed of sepnrnte elcmf'nts ,,"hich, I rr·c"'pect, ,·e of thei r own rnd i us of cur" u­tur('. a rc 3rrang('d III close proxi mity to ench flO oth('l· 31ld so, tha t the outside idc:11 surfllce enwluptng them IS oC a large radi us. E"i-' elt'ntly, the 5mnl 1er the radi us of curvllture the g\"(�atel·, (or II. � \"t'n electric displlll'c, 101.'1�t, w t l l be the surf3ce-densl Ly and, con, 65 Sl'<1�ll'ntl�'. the I�\\"l'r the limiting pressure to wh ich the tennn�3 1 �3y be cha rged w ith out elt'ctrlclty esca pmg IOto the Ill r. Such a ternnn3 1 I secUI"e to 3n insulating support entel·mg more or less into its interi or, and I 70 l i ke"·I5e connect the ci rcuit to it inside or, general l�', Ilt points where the electric den. sity is SID31l, This plan of constructing.llnd supporting Il high ly cha rged conductor I hn " e found . to be of gre3t practi cal impor- 75 tanCt'. :l ft d it m:1y be usefully Ilpplied in many ways.

UefelTinl; to the accompllnying dna wing. t l l(' li�l I l·e IS 3 ,'it-w in eleution And pa rt ;-t>d i. n of :m impro,·oo free termina l nnd 110 " j r' · l I i t of I :l rgt' sUI·face ,,"ith supporting �t l·l Il·t l l rc ancl �neraling a pPllratus.

The tl'rmin:ll D consists of a su it ahly ",ha P<",1 metallic frame, in this case a ring of r.l':l rly cir('ul3r cross section, ,," hich is ('0" , II� ('1'('11 \\ ith hal f SJ'herical metal piAtt's P P, th llS l'nnstituting a " ery large condll('ting Sll rf:u:e,.SJnooth t.'n all places w here the elec, tric chllrge principal l v accamlll :ates. The frame is carried by a' strong plntform ez- !!Il pressly prorided for safety appl i nnces, in­,;truments of obser"ation, etc., which in turn rests on insul ating supports F F. These !lhou ld penetrate fllr into the hollow space formed by the terminal, ADd if the electric II !) density at the points where they a re bolted to the frame is still considerable, they may be .specially pl"Ot«ied by conducting hoods AS H,

A part of tht! amprovemenu which form ! 110 the subject of this specification, the trans, !1litt i�g Ciz:c" it, in its seneral feot!lres, is rde-nt ,,·;! l W i th that dt'SCn bed and c1a lmeel in m�· ( I!·igin :l l Pntents !I: flS. 645,5 76 an-i fi49.62 1 . Th£' c i rcu it comprises a coil A w h ich i s i n 1 p !) I'lu!'l<" il1dlll't i ,·t' rdat ion ,," i t h a pri mary C, : md o n l.' e n d of ,,·hich is connected to a wnllnrl · plAle E, ,,· h i le i t!l other end is led t h roll�h a l"I.'pAr':1tr S(>1 f. ind u('t ion roil B a n d R ml'tll J l i� ('yl indl'r n ' to t.hc t.erminal 1>. ] t Q

1.11D,'7U

fi ll' ("f'nn<>d ion to the lntter shou l d al ways I ,. . m n ; ) ,' a t . or near t h ,' ("cnt er , In ord�r to < · " " 1 1 1 "\ ' : 1 � " l I Imet n('a ) <.l i "t n l >u I j" l l .. f tllf' ("u r , n ' I I ! . a " ; , t i lenqSt', w h e n thl' f!'l·q l l .'n (',v i l'

Ii \ ! ' I 'y h i /!,h and t he flo\\' I O f ) a r:.!" \· " l l I m�, the Pl'I' r"rJ l l n n re of the a pp:l l'a t ll " m l :.! h t he 1 m ' pa I red Thl' pl'imary e milY I lt' " x " lt .. d I n a l l Y t 1l',;i l'l�<.l m n n ner. from a sUIta ble sou rce u ( "t1 l'renls ( i . w h ich nUl)' be lin a lternator

10 or ("ondeo,;cr, the imp'>I"tant re<llI l rement Lein'" that t he n'sona n t ("ond ition is E'St:l h, l i sh�J . t hat il' tei sa \' , that the terminal D IS char:red to thE' Jll a x l mu lIl pressu rE' dE'\'el oped in t l tc ci rclI i t . as I ha \'e specified 10 my

1 5 oril!inal p:l ten ts ) ,e fl l l'(' re ferred to, The au , j lL'otmcnts shou l d I.IE' 1I I:)(le w ith particular care \\ hen the t J'nn�m ittcr is (lne of I!rcat p" .. ' er. not only on nccount of ecunom.Ji , out a lso in order to :lH,id "nn�E'r. I ha"e sho"'n

20 t h,a t it is prad icllhle to produce i n a resonnt, in,z ('i ITl I it as E A n B ' D im menge electri , cal a cti" ities. measu red bv tens nnd evcn hundl'c(ls of ihuusa nds of horse-power, and in such a c:isc. i { the points of maximum

2S pressure should be �hift.ed below tbe ter, Inionl D, :llong coil n. a ball of fire might hren k out and destroy the 1lUppcB't F or auy' thjn� el!>e in 'the .. ay. For � better ap' precJotitJD of the 11.8tuft of tbia dUlF' it

30. shoul<.l be statE'd. that the destnH:tive aebCIII rna v ' bke plare with inCODeei�te -rioleD�, ThiS 'l\-ill ct'.:Lc;e to he surprising .. hen it is hOnle In rnind, thllt the entire energy accu· Inn lnted in t he excited circuit. instend of re'

:lb < J l I i 1' inl;!, as u n der no rmal �orking condi , t i "n�, 1 ' 1 I t' ' i u a l 'ter of the period or more for ito; tra nsform a t i on fre>m static to kinetic (01'1 1 1 . m:l �' sp4'nd 1tsE'lf in an mcompsrably "1 I 1 :t l ll'r i nterval (If time, at a rate of many

4 � m i l l ion� of horse power The aC'CideDt is :' pt t o o('"cl l r w h�n . the transmitting circuit h<! lOg �trongl,v t'Xcittod . the impl'essed (}Scil, 11I t i.>nt-l 1I1'0n It ore ('a ulled . in any manner mC>l'e (lr I�� slId.len, til be more ra p id than

45 the frP(> osci l l a t ions. It is therefore ad, \'isHhle to I)('�i n t he odj ustment.c; with feeble and some,,' hat slo't'er impressed osci llations" strt'lI!!1.ht'n i n� llDd quickening them grad, lIol ly, unti l the apparatus has been brought

1>0 l IndE'r p4'rfec't control To increase the 'lll fety, I pro,i de on a coDvenient pi lice, pref­eraoh- e>n terminal D, one or more elements CI' p ln tes either of some,,'hat smaller radius of ('nr\'ature or protruding more or less be·

�5 YOlld the others ( in which c:a&e they may be of !larger rndius of l'Urnture) &0 tb.t, a�oul,d the r_rf"!'�lI re rise to a value, be�'ond which It is not (\ " !'i red to go, the powerful discha rge Illn \' c\ ,, , t t l l l t t ill're and lose itsE-1 f h .lrmlessly

60 in thl' a i r. SUl'h a pl:tte, per fllrm i . I g a func, tion si m i l a r to thnt of a sa fety ,' n l ve on a hil!h pre!'s l I re reSt'rvoir . is indic:oted at V ,

�t1 l 1 f l l J,th('r E' xtendmg the princi ples unue rl \' i n� my i n n·n t i on. �pt'Cia l re ference iii is made to coil B :JDd L�nduct or B' The

IlIttl'r il' in thE' form of a cylinder with smOOTh or polishf"d s l i r fa c :e of II radius Tlluch ) : I I'�f>r t h n n that of t i t .. ha l f spherical ele­·n lf"nts I' P. lind w l dl'ns out nt the boU',:,m m t n :l / tooc l I I , t\' h lch "hol i i d be slottRd to 70 !1 \ old 11K" Il\' eo d v ('urn>nt.c; and the pur, � of w h i .:h "' I i i be clrn r from the fore ,zoing Thf> roi l R i" 't'olllld on a frame 01 d ru m J ) ' , of i nsl l la t lD� ma terial, with its t u rnl> duse to�ether, I ha " e disc�\'(>red thnt 75 wh(>n so wOllno the E'/feet of the small radius of cnr\ ll tn rl' I I f th(> w i re I L�I ! is O\'E'rl'.omt' >I .u) thf> ('oi l bt-h n \ t·s li S a eond l lr lO I of l n r� 1',l d i l lS of (·u n a tur ..... �Tespond l ,,� t o thnt Clf th(· rl n l ll l . TIl i s fea t l l rf> Il' o f consH iE'r, 80 II hle pr:lctil'n l I I l 1 pO I · lu IIM' a no IS :1 ppi i cA ble not on ly in thi" Sfle(" t . a l I nl't:lnce, but �n­�ra l l.", For e:-:lI m ple, sl lch platE's at l' P, I I f termina l 1> . thou:rh prefer.l b l y of l n � r:l Il i llS of ClI rY " t.u rc, Ill·ed not lw neccss.'l ri l \' 85 so, for pr'''': l df>u oll l \' th:l t the indi\;du:il piatt'S or l'iE'n,pnt.<; (I f II hIgh potentilll con­d uctor ()J t(,rJ l l i u fl l :I re 8 rrnn�d in pros­'Illu tv to ench other ond "' itb their outer bolllldllnE'S .along an ideal symmetrica l en- . " eloping surface of a lar� radius of eun-a­tUft, the .d,·.ntar;es of tHe m�enuon wm be m<m! m- � fuJly ftIllized The tower � of the coil �wbich, if desired. may be enended up to tM tnrnmal D-shouM 15 be _"'hilt hf"low the uppermost turn of coil A, This, T find , I�ns the tendency of the charge to brt' n k Oll t from the ... irt' con­nedjn� both and t.o pass along the sup-port F' . - 100

H\lnng dE'scribed my in ,ention, I cllli m : 1 . :\ s II means for producing grea t elec·

tnt'RI actl \'ities a n'SODllllt t'ircu i t ha \;ng its outt'r l:()ndlJcti u� bou nda ries, 1l'hir.h nre ('ha r�t'd to a high pptential, arranged in 106 su rfncE'S of large ra dii of cu r\'alure so as to pre" E'nt leaklilre of the oscillating charge, sllbstll nti a l ly as .5('t forth, ,

2, In apparatus for the t.rnnsmission of elect I'ir.n I energy a circllit connected to 1 10 ground and to 11 11 de\'oted terminal and ha\' ing its oll ter conducting boundaries, ""hicb a re subject to high tension, nrran� III surfaces of Inr�e rndii of cllrt'ature sub­stantiolly .s, lind for the purpose described, 1 15

3 . In n pla nt for the transmission of elec· tricli l energy without wires, in combinotion "'- ith a pri muy or exciting ci rcuit 0 second­Il" connl'Cted to ground and to an ele;ated Iotrmin,,1 IUld ha,;ing · its outcr condu�t�ng no boundllrif'S, " hich nre charged to • � potf'ntinl, IIrrangt'd in surfoces of lnrge n dii of cun'atu re for the purpose of pre" E'nt ing lea k a ge and loss of energy, substantioll.V lIS Sl't forth 116

� , As a meR ns for tnnsmittin" electrical t:nel·gv to a d ist ance through the naturlll m�u i lf 1\ gro l lndrd rt'Son:t nt circu it, com­prisi ll� u pa l1 u pon wh ich oscillations a re i mpressed ond :mothcr for raising the ten- 1 10

.39

40

1,118,,"12 8 � i (,n, h :l \' i n l! i t!' nu l. ' r , 'on , l l l " t i l ;/! hOl l n c b ri O's on w h ie-h :I h i gh u'l l " j un I 'ha rgo' IiCC 1 ! /l IU iatt',., n rrn l l�I'd i n su da," '" of l a l'�I' rn d i i of curT:! , i : ;n ' , � I l l o:,ta llt i :l l l \' ns Ikse-ribeod , '

;;. ;" The Im'ans' for prod ucing ex<.'essi \'e

t,l(,(,tric pott>nti a ls ('on�isting of a primary exC' i t i n g ci rc u i t and a ",sonant secoodan' ha v ing 'its ouu-r cond�lcting \'!lements which II "' suhject to high t<'n"ion a rranged in prox-

H I imit�, to each other and in surfaces of lar/!t' radii of eun'ature so as to prevent leaka ge of tht" cha rge :md attendant lo\\'ering 'of po­unti a l . suh"tantialh' as dt's('!'ibed,

G, .\ ci rcu it com, ;rising a pa rt II pon which 1 5 osci l la t ions a rl' i ll l p l,t'��d all . 1 I Inotlu,'r part

for ra isin$!' the �n;:ion hy r('son a nct' , the latter part lx-ing supportl'd on places of low elect ric densit:" and ha " i n$!' i ts outermost conducting boundaries arran/!ed iJi su rfaces

::0 of 13r/!e radii of ,cur\'ature. as set forth, i, In apparatus for the ,t�nsmis.."ion of

eleetriC:ll energy without wires a �ounded circllit the outer conducting element..'" of which have & grat �g:lu area and are

2' arranged ill sun:u:es of large l':ldi i of curva­ture BO as to pennit t.he storing of a high ebl 1"g'e at a small electric density and pre· " ent 1035 through le3kage, substantially as described,

8, A "'irelcss transm i tter c(\mprisin� in a r com bination a sou rc� of os.� i I l :l t i ons as a cOIl . ] t'nser. a pri m a ry e�!:'iti ng ri re-nit n nd ::. .5('('ondary grounded and elp\'at�d condl lct o:' the ollter conducting boundaries of which are in proximity to each other and arranged :: � in surfae-es o f large radii o f cur\'ature. sub· stantially as described,

9. In apparatus for the transmission of t'\P<'trical energy "..ithout wires an ele\'ated cond uctor or nntenna h:l \:ing its outer high 4 (' potential conducting or capacity e\l'mt"nts Ilrrangt"d in proximity to each other and in slIrfa c('s of la rge radii of cuC"'atn re !IO as to Q\'ercorne the e ffect of the small radius of cur\'llture of the indi,;du3 t element!! and 4 ', \t'ak:rgc of the charge, liS set forth.

10, A grounded resonant transmitting circuit ha,·ing its outer conductic/Z bound­a ril'S arranged in snrfaees of lar� radii of ctll""ature in combination "'ith an ele. :'0 "attod termiWlI of great surface supported at points of low electric density, substan· tially as described. '

NIKOLA TESLA. Witnesses:

M, L\JlIION Dna, RrCIlAIlD DoNOV.:K.

.

Copies ot WI patellt ma,. l:c obt.a1lle4 for lYe cellts each, b,. lL44resJillC tlae U C_aiwoln ef h-.sta, Wa5l1!llctDa, D, c. ...

CAPACITIES · By

FRITZ LOWENSTEIN � rl£e r�1..

As the seat of energy of an electric31 field is in the space outside of the charged bodies we will consid<:>r the shnpe :wcl concentration of the field only, but not thut of the body it�elf. This distinction il' necessnry bec3u�e .cnpacities nre usunlly

attributed to the bodies charged , whereas the energy is exclucled from that space w hi eh i" . occupied by the body. Considering the space between t wo cha rged bodies a � the only seat of enC'rgy , the expression "chargC'd body " is b(':<t rC'plncl'd by " term i n31 surface " of the field.

Comparing g<:>omet ri c;l l ly similar elemC'llts of two g('O­metrically similnr fipld,.: . th<:> elemC'nt ary capacit ies arC' pro­portional to linea l dimC'n;:ioll;: . (SC'l' Figure 1 . )

Ext<:>ndinj!; thi� 1 3 \\' oyer th(> <:>nt iTe fidel hy th<:> integrat ing procl'>';;:. we find that geom<:>t rica l ly silll i lnr fi("ld� have c3pacit ies proport iollnl to the linea l dimensions of t he terminal surfaces. It i� to be expect<:>d . o t h erefore, that cn pacities expressed in dimC'll;;ion;: of terminal ;:urfaces �hould he of l ineal dimensions.

That the ca pncit�· i " by r,o mean;; a funct ion of the " olume of the field or of the terminal hody may hC' easi ly seen from Figure 2 "'herl:' a fidd <:>lement i;; increased to dOUble th<:> volume hy adding IJf' • PI'l'l'ented before The I nstitute of Radio Engineers, xc\\" York, Decem-

r 1 , 1915. 17

volume in the direction of the field lines and in a direction per­pendicular to the lines. In the first case the capacity has been decreased whereas in the latter case increased, altho In both ca..c;es the volumetric increase is the same.

FIGt:RE 2

I t is �een , therefore. t hftt instead of being dependent on the volume , the rapacity i� rather a function of lineal dimension and therefore the mftximum lineal dimension predominates.

An interesting example of this predominating lineal dimension or "maximum reach" is given by the composite capacity of two wires joining at one end under various angle�, as shown in Figure 3.

FlGl'RE 3

When t he :m�le i" "mall the composite capacity is practically the �ame a� that of t he ,,:ingle wire, since the addition of the second wire hfts not increas('d the maximum reach.. . If the s('cond wire B he jOi llf'd to A. 'at an angle of 180 degrees, ' which me:ms in straight ('ontinuation of wire A the tota! " capacity has

18

oubled , as the maximum reach now is twice that of the single wire. \Ve notice also that by deviating wire B slightly from the traight continuation of wire A , the maximum reach of the

system is not materially altered, from which one may correctly c�nclude that turning the wire B thru an appreciable angle b does not materially change the capacity of the system. On the other hand a great chanJ!:e of maximum rE'ach is pro<i lw('ti by

variations of the anJ!:lE.' whE'n the two wircs arc approximately

perpendicular, and in fact t hc ca paeity of the total �tructure i�

most sensitive to changE'$ of angle bet ween thE' two ('ll'ID('nts at ahout 90 degrees.

In Figure 4 , I haw /ti wn a tal>ll' of {'apaciti('� per ('('nt imE'ter of the greater l ineal dimension of t he diff('rE'nt ('onfi�urntions .

() c =.'101

c-.}Z.t

o C-.l01

(-.I0 l F1GrnF. 4

In Fig:uf(' ;) t he WIrE.' A. B i s a""umed to he movpd I", the variahl(, ah:-ci,,"ae x , t lwreby gCIH'ra t ing: a conducting sh;et S,

I t is instruet i " e to follow the yariation of the capaeity Cz• 1 0

At x = tI the capacity is that of the wire Ca b ; as long as x is small the capacity is practically constant because the width of t he sheet is small compared to the length A B and a change of x does not involve a change of the predominating lineal dimcnsion ; however, as x increases and finally becomes greater than .-1 B, it a...�umes the part of the predominating dimension, and, indeed, the graph shows the capacity then to be propor­tional to x.

" I

"""--__ '- _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ J FIGt.:RE .'i

Compurin!-t thc capncities of a sphere and of a wire, it is found t hnt the c:lpncity of the sphere is only three or four times as grcnt al" tht' ('npacity of the wire in spite of the million times greater volume.

I ha\'c !':poken of the eapacities of a wire and of other bodies inste:l<l of thr cap:lcity of the field simply because I do not wish to distr:lct uttentioll from the f:lmiliar conceptions. Let me an:llyze thr field �hown in FiJ1;ur(' 6, having two concentric �pll('re,; ;'''' tf'rminal �urf:\('e�, and defining :lS "volumetric energy · dcn",i ty" t hl' enerl?:Y ('ont:lillcd in one cubic c('nt imeter . As the encrl!y I)f a field (·I(,01('nt is mmle up of the product of potential alor./! the linl'''' of fon'(' within that ('l('ment and of the number of l ir.I'''' t ra nr"in/! it . thE' I'nerl?:Y of :l cuhic cent imeter of electric field i", proportiomtl to t hl' square of the field density. Since the field d(,ll"ity diminishes as the square of the distance from the center of ficld, the volumetric energy density diminishes with the fourt h power of the distanee from the eenter. The diagram to the ll·(t in Figure 6 ;::ho\\'8 the decrease of volumetric energy

dE'o"ity. Of /!rc'at l'r intcrl'",t t h:ln the volumetric energy density is the

lim':ll ('ll('r/!y clt·nsity . wh i ch may be defi ned as the energy contained

20

in a spherica l iayC'r of on!' ("('nt i uwtl'r radia l t h ieknf':<:< : nnd a"

t h e yolume of such iaYl'r in('n':I:« '" wit h t he :<ql Jare of t he di,.;tnl l l'f' from t hE.' eentC'r, t llf' la w fol lo\\'", f ro l l l t h i " f:1 <,t , a n d from t h(· \'ol l l lllf'tri(' rn('r�y dl'n",i ty I:t \\" t h: 1 t t I l ( ' l i l H' n l ( 'n l' r�:' dl ' l l " i ty

cl('erea�es inyersely as t il(' squnr(' of t hl' t i i:<t a n('(' from t hr (,l'nt t·! " , :'Udl depel:drn('r i" gm phil':l l Iy ,, 1 10\\' 1 1 t u t i l l ' r ight i l l F j �Il J"( ' 0 , T h r !'had('d surface belo\\' t h i:< eun'l' n' pn':'l'nt :< t he t ota l 1 ' I l l ' I'I!:Y

of t hr fil'leI and it is ea�ily l"een t herefrom that t he mnximurn enerl!y of the field is conct,'ntrnted near the smaller of thc two :<ph('re!' ,

I hn n� taken a simplf" e:lSe of a field wi th �phE'ricnl terminnl "lIrf:l('(>:o: to r;how that the conccntrntion " of cne�- lie::; l!ear the .. 01:1 1 1('1" tf'rminal �urfa('e , �imilar l'on�id<'rntion'" C3.n he appl i<'tl ",hf'n :-ouh�titutinl! for thi i< firl< l r:uliatinl! thr('('-(Iimf'n,.iort:ll l�' ,

:t fi(,ld of hi-diml'n"ionnl rndiation (�:-o t hn t oe("urrinj!; in til(' ('ase of IHul! <,yl indric3.1 terminnl surfn c'(';' ) : wit<'rt>, a:-o in this instam'(· , til!' blJk of the enNj!;:' of th(' fi('ld is t o l w fou n( l llenr the :-om:t l l('r on' of t I I(' two t crminal ",urf:H'l':<,

I n Figur(' I, I haw' sh own !I fi ('l d with ('OIl ('l'ntr i(" t (' I'J I l i r : t I ,.urf:U'l ',. ( · i t lH'r :<plH'ri ('a l o r ey l i n d ril':I U , and han' illf" l'l':I"'('d t l . . . "" "p,. of t i l l ' fi('ld by J'('d u("ing the "iz(' of t ht' :<lll a l ler t t'rlll i l l a l

!<urfa,·(' wit hout , ho\\"('\'(>r, changinl!: ('it her the tota l numi Jpr o f

. fi(·l e I l ines o r t h e larger terminal surfaee, A s the l inenl clwrgy den:<ity i:< \"('ry !trent near till' �mall('r term inn l surfac('. ",urh acl t l i t ion of t il(' field at t hnt point mu�t hnn' material ly incf('a:« ,d t il(' ('n('rgy of t lw fiC'ld nnd t h t' eh:mge in ca p:l ('it y to be exp<'et (,t l l'hould h(, ('o ll" i t l('ra bll ' , I n fact , a consid l'ra bll' ehnng(' in eap:l ('i ty of a "phl'rt· i,.: o l Jt a i n('d hy a changc of i t ... diamct er,

I f, in Fij.!Ufl' I t h(' l a rgl'r t erm i r. a l surfaet' alone i ... changl'd,

21

even mate-rinlly, the total energy of the field will be increased very slightly only ; due to the fact, as we have seen, that the energy density near .the larger terminal surface is very small . Such a small change in energy corresponds to only a small change in the capacity of the field, from which we conclude :

FIGCRE i

In :l fidd hn\'ing: t wo tprminal surfaces of greatly different I'iz('. a ch:mg:e of the �1l11111er surface produces a great change in capacity, whereas a chan�e of the larger terminal surface affects the- capacity of th(' fiplel only very slightly. The capacity of a field is, there-fore, almo:>t entirply determined by the shape of t he smaller terminal �urface.

That is · why we may with rorrectI!.ess speak of the capacity of a �ph(·r('. or any ot h('r hody, without mentioning the size and l'ha p(' of t ilt' ot h('c t " rmi r :ll surface, as long as the assumption is (·occ('(·t that I'Ul"ii ot lwc t('rmir.al s\lrface is of greatly larger diuu'nsi. ,nl'.

It may not he ami"" to ('all your attention to the fact that t hl' in(·cpa,..,' of fiplll (,llI'CltY al' i l lul'trnted in Figure 7 is accom­pani('t1 hy :1 del'r(':!",' in (':lpal'ity. This relation may easily he t\t'lhll'(·t\ from phy"jC:1I considerations, as well as, from con­sid('ration of the mathpmatical expression for the capacity

C = f/J� where f/J = total field lines . 32 ::-� lJ ' Jr = energy, wh('r('in t l l f' " :l pa('ity j" expc�sell aR a property of the field alone. I am h'mptf'tl to introdul'p h('re the reciprocal " alue of capacity and a pply t o i t t lH' t {'rm " st iffness of the field," as an i�crease of ('n('r�' would hI' fol lowed hy an increase of stiffness. I am,

22

however, loath to mar any additional insight which may be

gained from these explanations by deviation from so familiar a. term as capacity .

For a better conception of the slight change of capacity caused by a considerable in crease of the larger terminal surface, I refer to Figure 7 , where the difference of capacity is only 1 per cent in spite of the diameter of the larger terminal surface being increMe<i 1 00 per cent. It appears, therefore, that that part of the capacity of an :mh'\ula whi c-h i" du(' to t he flat top is

not ma.terially changed · by its hei�ht aho ve ground. While considering the capacity of a flat t.op antenna to

ground, it m ust have o('currf'cl to many cngineen; , as it did to me, that the statement to be found in many text books on electro­statics is rather misleading : "That the free capa('ity of a body

considered alone in space must not he confoUluh'd wit h th(' capacity the body may have again:o;t another hody t"ol: "i<1( ' I"('<I as a plate conden�er. " Thil' stat ement i" quit(' erroneou:o;. As

the strength :md diredion in any point of a field i:o; of sinp;\" :md

definite val ue, only one electric field can exist in :t gi" en "p:H"e at a gi\"(m mom ('nt . :111<1 . t lH'rdol"e . onl�' one vahl(, of e:l p:l ! ' i ty . It i!O incorr('cL t hen·forl' , to d i"t ingui�h \)et\\'('('11 fr('e ra )1a ( ' ity :md cond enser ('aparity. This clarifying stat('mellt is de(,llled ndvimble, or at least permil'I'ihle, in vjew of the quot('d errors . .

By spea king of the capacity of the field instt'ad of that of the

body, no such erroneous thought is possihle, and it is clear that by free capacity of a body is mt>:lnt tht> capacity of the field whose smaller terminal surface is the ,;ven body and whose largrT terminal . surfncl' is olle of \-:lstiy greatrr dimensions. It is not essential that thi! ; grt'nteT tt'rminal surf:u.'(' be 1000000ted at infinite distance, berau!:'(' of t ilt' fact that ('ven if construt'd a!' of t en t imes the l i neul dim('n:-::ion" of. the smal l :<urface th(' ('ha nJt(, e:msed by r('mo"in� it to an infinite d istan('e would rt ·,..uh in a l"han�e ill ea p:l C' i ty of not more t han on('-t('n t h of 1 I ll'r l'l'nt .

"\ t a time whell I hMI not rl'a l izf'<1 thl' "inp;ly determ illrd

\'alue of a fi(,ld caparity, I ('on:<iliered a ('om parison between free an<l plate eapacity as shown in Fi�ure 8, wherein to an upper

di",(· ( of which the free capacity is �r) , was added anot her lower

dil"c, th'�n·by formin� a platl' cond�nser. The problem arose in my mind to determine the di:;ta nce of separation of thl' two pbtt·,. "0 t hat the plate ('apaC' i ty would equal the free eapaeity of t h(' :<ingle dii'(,. From the well-known formula.., for the d i :<c

23

FIeURE 8

capncity nnd plnte capacity, it would appenr thnt the two were equnl at n distance equal to d = �r , and I must confess that

I hnd quite n struggle to decide whether in speaking of the capacity of thE' upper plate I would not hnve to ndd the two c3pn(·it ie,<. While such n mistnke need hardly be cnIled to the nttention of fhl' majority of engineers, I do not hesit3te to make

ment ion of it for t he henefit of even the few students who might gnin t lwrefrom.

The adyent of the 3eroplane has opened another field, for

radio communic3tion. Whereas in the static field of an antenna, one terminal surface is art·ificial and the other provided by the surroundin� �ound , both terminal surfaces in an aeroplane outfit hnye to he nrtificinl and are, therefore, open to design. The qu(>�tion nri,.es in such a radio oscillator as to how much may be �:l in('d in ("ner�y for ench single charge by increasing that Olll' of t Ill' t wo t("rmin:ll surfnces which consists of a dropped wirE'. Tlw :trrn nj!t'mt'nt i:o; :o;hown in Figure 9. It is evident that

FIGCR£ 9 2-1

as long as the dropped wire is of smaller dimensions than the electrostatic counterpoise provided on the aeroplane, an increase in length of such dropped wire will materially . increase the capacity of the field and, therefore, the energy per charge (as we may conclude by analogy from Figure 7) . As soon, however, as the dropped wire is materially longer than the conductor on the aeroplane it assumes the role of the larger terminal surface of the field, and any further increase of its length will not materially contribut e to an increase of electrostntk capacity nor of the energy p<'r unit charge.

Figure 1 0 shows the function of the volumetric and lineal energy density in a field whose smaller terminal surface is a long cylinder. Such a field, radiating bi-<lim<,nsionally only, shows an energy conC'entration not so ncccntuated as that found in the

FIGURE 10

tri-dimensionnlly r:uiint ing field ; l Iu. ('onsidt>riulr the largt>r termin31 sUrfn('e of n diameter ten time� that of thc smaller surf3('e, the (·: tp:wity ""{' \lId only be ehangl'cl 1 per cent by increasing the larger terminal surfact' i nfinit ely.

In all C3;;:es, therefore, where the larger · t erminal surface does not come closer nt any point than (say) ten times the corresponding dimension of the smaller terminal surface, we need not be concerned with the actual shape of the larger terminal surf:!cc when we determine the seat of energy, the capacity and the ('onfiguration of t h e field lint>S emanating from the smaller surface. It will be seen , therefore, that from the fiat top of an antenna, line;;: emanate almost symmetrically both upwards and. downward� a" though the larger terminal surface were one-

25

surrounding the antenna symmetrically on all sides, in spite of

the fact that the ground is located entirely at the bottom of the antenna. This is clearly illustrated in Figure 1 1 .

By integrating the lineal energy density of a three-dimen­sionally radiating field between the radius of the smaller sphere

FIGtTRE 1 1

and t hat o f t h e I:tr�er �phf're. we can find the enerity o f :;uch a fiE'ltl : wherE'hy th£- l'apacity is dlO'termined . The lineal energy

dE'n:oity fol io\\",.; th .. I :\\\" of -� . and its inte�l is proportional ,..

to : ; and ("on:-;C'qupntiy th� (:apacity of the field varies as r.

We h:l\·e deduted. therefore, the capacity . of a sphere from prorwrti(':': of thc' til·I ( 1 :l lone, ('Ori:-;idering the spht.>re a.., a terminal surfal'e only.

In dcdueinJr l"imihlrly tilt' ('apacity of the "ire from properties of t he fiC'lll :ll one. \\'l' hu\"(' to start with the bi-dimensionally radi:l t inp: fi(·le I t lU' linenl energy density of which follows the

law ..! a::; we han ;;cell. The integml of such function is of r

lup:arithmic' llatun' . !l" i ndeNI i:o; the ('apacity of the wi re. r wi"h to cal l your attent ion to the fact that in a sphere

segments of the same projected axial length contribute equally to t he capndty of the sphere , as shown in Figure 12.

If n ('hn rlre \\"{'/',. made' to enter a sphere and traverSe the splll're in the direc·t ion of a diameter, the sphere as a conductor \\"oul<l hcha\'e l i kt> a straight piece of wire of uniform lineal capaeity. Thi" fatt wu" first recognized, to my knowledge, by

2G

FIG(-Rl: 12

Mr. Nikol:l Tesl:l , and [ l'Xlwd to euml:' baek t o t he hdlD.vior of :l sphere as a conductor of radio fn·queney ('ur:r('uts at !o'ome

later date. The study of capal:'iti(';. of compo�it(' hodies i!o' most in­

structive and condu ci v(' to a clear COIl('('ptiOll of capacity. ut. as in Figurf:;' 1 3 , a numh('r of !o'mall !o'plwre,.: of rndi ll": b(' �o 3rra.nged :15 to ('oY('r (·omph·h· ly t hl:' !o'urf: H'(, of t lw hlrJ,{pr sph('re, t he ra di ll:< R ( If ,," h i i' l l hp 1 00_ I f (':l eh Oi l (' of the

3 1 ,4()U "1Jl:t 1 l er ,.pherp� ('oti ld hI' l'lmuf <'d : I t i ts full value of ('3J1:11·i t y . t he e:l paeity of tht' I'ompo;:ite hody would be 3 1 ,400 ; a. .. a mat t �r of fact , howe\"('r. it is not mon' tb:lll radius R of tilt- l:lr�{'r ;:;.phere , t hat is 1 00_ Indeed , the confi�urat.ion of tlK- (·I(·et ric fiE'ld F could not ha ve chan�('d materially by the arr:lnJ!{'Dl{,llt of the smal l "pheres, and t he capa ('ity clearly pr�nt ,.: i tself as a property of the confiJ!urnt ion of t he fieJd lyin� outside of thE' eun- loping surfa('(' of t he composite f'tnu-t ure.

Capacity may play a part in the conduction of electricity thru liquids and gases. Let us assume a series of spheres in lineal arrangement as shown on Figure 14.

As long as the distance between the spheres is great com­pared to the diameter of the spheres, each sphere will retain its full {'apacity as given by its radius. By decreasing the distance

q)4 $ 0 0 OOcPc1?ooooo

� c5'<1 o o o I-'IGt:RE 1 4

bet\n'('n :;pheres the indi\"idual {'apaeities o f the spheres decrease, because of the negati\"E:- !."apacity coefficients. If such approxima­tion he {'arried to the point of contact between the spheres, the capacity of each individual sphere would be redu{'ed to ap-

proximately ! of the original capacity. If such a ruw uC �lJhl'n:" t

were coneeh .. ed as freely mo\'able, so as to enable each sphere to make contact with a plate P, which is kept charged to a certain potential , then the {'harges carried away by the spheres after {'ontact wit h the plate would he proportional to the f':lll capacity of each :-;phere as long as the spheres are far apart, and would

he onl\" ! = - _ 1 __ lh p�,rt of su{'h maximum charg-e when the - � 2.71 8

!"pht'rel' arc i n contact . A s w e a!"�umed the plat� P to be main­tained at n {'ertain potential hy an outside sOurce of electricity, the ('om'('et ion current represented by the departing -{'harges of the spht'res would Yary approximately in a ratio of 2.71 to 1:

J n the passage of electricity thru an electrolyte, the molecular conci uctivity has been found to be the same for all electroJytes, ancl \'aryin� only with t he concentration of the solution ; - the moll'{'ular ('onducti\"ity being approximately 2.5 times as great in the yery dil ute solut ion as in the concentrated solution.

1 wi:-;h to {'all your attent ion to the striking similarity between the rat io of ('onclu{'ti\"ity experimentally determined in elec-

28

trolytes of small and large concentrn.tion and the ratio of con­ductivity of the row of spheres where the spheres are far apart or close together. I do not pretend at this moment that a

o

ALCOHOLS N c;.!04,;;.o H o H-OH WATER I C H,�H MnlII'L ALCOHOL 2 C; ,,\-0.. ETHYL , c,,,\-oH PROP'fl " c;.��ti BUTYL

Z2.&

� c.,H,.-oH I�NTVL AL.COMOL I ' �Z.7

I FIGURE ] .5

plaul'ible modification of the theory of ('onduct ion thru elec­trolytes and gases can be based on slleh a c:oincidence ; and in fact , asswnptions would havc t o 1)(' lll :l de. For example, a lineal arrangement of the ion:; in the di n·(·t ion of t il(' static field impressed on the electrolyte or on the gas mu�t · he assumed.

f'DRMIC AGIO I+- COO -l-l - � METHYL FORMlATI: I+- coo -.c: t\ I 9.9 ETHYL H-COO�,,\ Z.

� 150SUTYL. • H-COO-C.w, . ... .... MVL. M-COO-q+" , T.T

"CEnC 'ACID C�COO_ D E�YL ACETATE CHj COO-Cz"\ �

eM; COO-C;H, :3 � PROPY\.

o 2 :3 4 � N or ""I. AL."�

FIGURE 16

But t he fact that such ratio i n the case of the spheres is deduced from gf'omct ri cnl considerat ions alone , ('ou pled ",ith the fact that in clcetrolytcs the sam e rat io follow:< from purely geometrical eon."ide'rnt ion!', i s sufficient to warrant further thought. I do not �itate t o bring this i nteresting coinei<iellce t o yo�r knowledge, 1rJth the' hope that other physicists may carry on investigations

2'J

in the same direction . I have said that the molecular con­ductivity of electrolytes arose from geometrical considerations only, and I think it advisable to call your attention to the founda­tion of such a statement. While it is true that the conductivity of different electrolytes varies considerably, it has bee:p. found that the · molecular conductivity is the same for all electrolytes. The similar behavior, of the same number of molecules, in­dependently of the.> weight of the moit·(·u){'. therefore reduces the phenomenon to a purE'ly geometric ha.",i�.

SUMMARY : Considering that electrostatic energy is actually in the space surrounding a charged body. the latter is called a "terminal surface." It is shown that capacity is predominantly a function of the maximum lineal dimension of the terminal surface. The volumetric and lineal energy den­sities in the field are defined and studied in a Dumber of cases. It is proven that the capacity between two terminal surfaces is greatly affected by chang­ing the lineal dimensions of the smaller terminal surface. but not so for changes of the larger. Certain current errors in cxmnection with "mutual

-capacity" are considered. The practical applications to a radio antenna and to aeroplane counter­

poises are given. When a charge traverses a sphere. entering parallel to a diameter. the

sphere behaves as a conductor of uniform lineal capacity. Applications of the theoretical considerations are also given in connec­

tion with the conduc..:ivity of concentrated and dilute electrolytes.